Thanks for all the help. The pistons were in correctly. I may not have been clear enough. All 8 original rods had the squirt holes closed. I needed to replace one rod because of it being bent/twisted. I'll have to agree with Larry & Ross about used car values in the 60's. Probably some dealer just wanted to make the car saleable on the cheap or maybe some owner just wanted to get another year use of the car before buying a replacement vehicle. I remember working at car dealers then and the dealer owners would do anything on the cheap to get some old car running long enough to sell or wholesale. Thanks again, Craig

Hi Guys, Rods were correct with squirter area towards cam. I am not positive about pistons. I will check when I get to shop in a.m. I still have pistons and I did mark them before removal. Thanks for the info., Craig

PS. JD from Max Merritts Parts recommended posting on here. He was right everyone is very helpfull.

Wow! Thanks guys for the rapid response and info. Yes, there is a slot on the piston skirts of the original and replacement pistons. I believe the squirter holes should still be there. Ever who restricted them in the past may have caused the damage that did occur to this engine. This engine is from a new owner who just purchased the car, so history is unknown. It has approx 68000 miles on it. The engine had a replacement cylinder head and newer bearings in it. Don't know why these had been replaced maybe an overheat or ? in the past. Engine was taken out because it smoked (alot) and ran rough. We found the cam was worn (like an old small block Chevy), lifter followers were torn up, and hyd. lifters were seized in the followers. Pistons were scuffed and cylinder bores were worn. Also valves and guides were worn. We also found a connecting rod that was "S" bent and twisted. The damaged rod appears to have been there for awhile, beacuse of the lower wear marks at the top of the bore on that cylinder. I believe the cam/lifter situation may have been caused by the restricted squirters. I have done a few other 356's in the past and always noticed the squirters were open. I was wondering about the squirters being closed off on this engine. Thought maybe someone could explain it, because it seemed wrong to me. Looks like on Thursday I am drilling out squirter holes! Thanks again, Craig

Doing a rebuild on a 1947 356 9main bearing Super Clipper. I needed to replace one connecting rod. The replacement rod has the squirter hole open. On the rods I took out of the engine all 8 rods had the squirter hole peened closed. Which is the correct style? Thanks, Craig